Baptism

St. Mark’s is happy to arrange for the baptism of children and adults.

Baptisms normally occur during worship services. Those interested in having their children baptized must attend a pre-baptism course offered on the third Thursday of each month. Child care is provided.

Teenagers and adults normally receive confirmation instruction prior to being baptized.

Please contact the Church Office to begin the process

Confirmation

At St. Mark's, children going into sixth grade begin a course of instruction called confirmation class. These classes, spread over three years, teach the basics of the Christian faith from Luther’s Small Catechism. These include the Ten Commandments, the Apostles Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and the “Office of the Keys” - or forgiveness. In addition, students grow in their faith relationship with God and their relationships with parents, teachers, pastors and friends. The confirmation experience ends with the Rite of Confirmation, held on the first Sunday in May. At that time students become communicant members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Weddings

Wedding services at St. Mark’s are usually reserved for those who publicly practice their Christian faith. Regular attendance at worship service is the most visible demonstration of this faith. Usually, weddings are held on Saturdays. Those interested in having their wedding at St. Mark’s must first meet with pastor prior to setting the date. At that time, details regarding the wedding will be discussed. Other requirements may include participation in pre-marital counseling sessions. Please contact the Church Office to inquire as to the availability of wedding dates and to arrange for a meeting with pastor.

Funerals

You do not have to be a member of St. Mark’s for a funeral service for a family member. Members may choose to have a funeral in the church sanctuary, funeral home, or at the cemetery. Non-member funerals are limited to the funeral home or cemetery. Please contact the Church Office for more information.

Becoming a Member

St. Mark's welcomes members into our family of faith in many ways. Being baptized at St. Mark's automatically makes one a member.

Adult members and families may transfer their membership to St. Mark's from other Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregations.

Non-LCMS Christians may join St. Mark’s after completing our "Adult Information Class," where adults review the basics of the Christian faith and learn about St. Mark’s. At this time, those who are new Christians will be baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith.

Please contact the Church Office for more information.

How do I get to Heaven?

How would you answer these two questions:

1. If you were to die today, do you know for certain that you have eternal life and will go to heaven ?
2. When you stand before God and He asks you, "Why should I let you into heaven?" what would you say?

How you answer those two questions has an eternal outcome. They show where you are spiritually within the Christian faith. Are there wrong answers? You bet! Lots of them. Two answers bring the Christian faith into focus.

To the first question, Christians will answer "Yes, for sure, absolutely." Many people will say that. But a second answer is required. Christians respond to the second question by saying: "Because Jesus died for my sins."

If those two are not your answers, perhaps you need to consider what the Christian faith teaches; According to the Bible, we must admit our failure to follow God and His will perfectly. The Bible says:

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23

"Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." - James 2:10

"Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." - Galatians 3:10

"For the wages of sin is death." - Romans 6:23

Believe what God has done for you in Jesus Christ.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." - 1 Timothy 1:15

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day." - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." - Galatians 3:13

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God." - 1 Peter 3:18

"He saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy." - Titus 3:5

"The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." - Acts 16:31

Do you believe that Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead for you?

A prayer for this moment might be:

"Lord Jesus Christ, I confess that I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life. But You died on the cross and rose from the dead to purchase a place in heaven for me. Thank you for giving me faith by the power of Your Holy Spirit, forgiveness of all my sins, and the gift of eternal life. Help me to live for You and to confess You before others. In Your name I pray. Amen.”

Confess your faith to others in response to God's goodness.

"Whoever confesses me before men, I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 10:2

"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9

So now you have begun. These are the basics of becoming a Christian - a “Christ Follower.” There is much more to learn and understand about your Lord, your faith, and His Church. If you have any questions, please contact the Church Office and we will be happy to respond to your questions and needs.